You are here: Home > Where we work > Ethiopia > Preserving ecosystems in Bale

Preserving the ecosystem in and around the Bale National Park

Ethiopia's Bale Eco-Region is just one of 34 biodiversity hotspots under threat from human activity Ethiopia's Bale Eco-Region is just one of 34 biodiversity hotspots under threat from human activity

The Problem

The Bale Eco-Region and the area downstream are both crucial to international environment protection efforts. Widespread deforestation, the conversion of forests to farmland, unsustainable timber extraction and over-grazing of livestock is threatening Bale Eco-Region’s very existence as well as its unique flora and fauna.

This, coupled with the impact of climate change, is increasing the vulnerability of the communities that depend on the land and rivers for their livelihoods.

What are we doing?

To counteract this threat, Farm Africa is leading a consortium of NGOs and working closely with the Ethiopian government in a coordinated effort to reverse the damage done to the Bale Eco-Region and boost livelihoods for inhabitants in a sustainable way.

Through individual training and mentoring programmes, the introduction of institutional systems and research into environment management, this project will enhance the livelihoods of local people, helping to reduce poverty and the current reliance on unsustainable practices. This includes water use and the regulation of the flow of the rivers that bring water to millions of people living downstream, whose livelihoods are at risk. 

This short video explores how the project is helping lowland pastoralists to better manage the rangeland their livestock survive on:

Who are we working for?

Preserving the Bale Eco-Region will benefit an estimated 878,000 people living locally as well as up to 12 million people further downstream. The global community will also benefit from climate change mitigation and the conservation of biodiversity.

Who are we working with?

This 3 year project is funded through the European Union’s Supporting Horn of Africa Resilience (SHARE) initiative and the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. To find out more about EuropeAid, click here